NEET UG paper leak hearing underway: Supreme Court to pronounce detailed verdict on this NTA exam with CBI naming kingpins in chargesheet

TOI Education / Updated: Aug 2, 2024, 11:45 IST

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The Supreme Court of India delivered judgment today on the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, confirming the decision not to re-conduct the exam. The case involved petitions for cancellation or re-test due to a paper leak. The verdict emphasized that the judgment would not impede actions against dishonest admissions.

NEET UG paper leak hearing underway: Supreme Court to pronounce detailed verdict on this NTA exam with CBI naming kingpins in chargesheet

NEET UG paper leak SC Hearing: The Supreme Court of India will issue a detailed judgement today on the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 examination. During its previous hearing, on July 23, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition to re-conduct the medical entrance exam due to the grace marks issue.
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The three-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, which is scheduled to preside over today's hearing on the NEET UG paper leak case, is expected to explain their decision not to conduct a retest for all candidates.
During the previous hearing, Chief Justice Chandrachud noted that holding a fresh exam would have "serious consequences" affecting over 24 lakh students who took the NEET UG test this year in May; pointing out that a re-test would disrupt the admission schedule and the counselling process for the entire pool of students.

The apex court, in its earlier directive, clarified that the judgement will not prevent authorities from taking action against candidates who gained admission through dishonest means.

NEET UG 2024 Paper Leak case: CBI names candidates, stakeholders in chargesheet

In its first chargesheet regarding the NEET-UG paper leak case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named 13 individuals, including four candidates, a junior engineer, and two key conspirators. The leak of the medical entrance exam paper led to protests across the country and demands for a re-test, but the Supreme Court ruled against this, citing the absence of a systemic and large-scale breach.

As per reports, the CBI chargesheet filed on Thursday also names parents of some candidates. Officials stated that a supplementary chargesheet would be filed as investigations continue.
The CBI chargesheet names two key conspirators: Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand. The chargesheet includes four candidates: Ayush Kumar, Anurag Yadav, Abhishek Kumar, and Shivnandan Kumar. Sikander Yadvendu, a junior engineer with the Danapur Town Council in Bihar, has also been named.
NEET UG 2024 Paper Leak SC Hearing: Who are the key accused?
On Thursday, the CBI issued its first chargesheet in the NEET-UG paper leak case, charging 13 people, including four candidates, a junior engineer, and two key figures. Here's a list of key accused and what we know about them so far.

Key accused	What we know about them
Nitish Kumar	Resident of Patna's Gopalpur and allegedly one of the main conspirators. Previously jailed for involvement in a Bihar Public Services (BPSC) examination paper leak.
Amit Anand	Resident of Mangal Bazar in Munger. Allegedly leaked the question paper on May 4, the day before the exam.
Sikander Yadvendu	Junior engineer from Danapur Town Council. Conspired with Kumar and Anand to leak the paper for Rs 30-32 lakh per student.
Ashutosh Kumar	An associate of Amit Anand from Jamui, residing in Rajiv Nagar, Patna.
Roshan Kumar	Resident of Ekangarsarai, Nalanda, living in Rajiv Nagar. Allegedly helped convince candidates to buy the question paper.
Anurag Yadav	Approached the "setters" for the leaked paper. According to the chargesheet, on the night of May 4, the candidates were called and made to solve the leaked question paper and memorise the answers.

NEET UG paper leak controversy

The controversy began when an unusually high number of students scored a perfect 720 in the NEET-UG exam. Concerns were raised over 67 perfect scores, including six from a single coaching centre in Bahadurgarh, Haryana.
Initially, the high scores were attributed to grace marks due to a faulty question and logistical issues. However, police investigations revealed that the exam paper had been leaked to select candidates a day before the test.
The 13 accused, including the four candidates, face charges of criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

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